Senior Archivist - Research

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Senior Archivist - Research

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Archives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees exists to make the experience of UNHCR, as embodied in its records and related materials, available to guide and assist the Organization in planning and conducting its activities, and to provide information to meet the research needs of the persons of interest to UNHCR, the scholarly community, and the general public. The UNHCR Archives includes material both in physical and digital formats from more than half a century of Field Operations around the world and material from headquarters, predecessor agencies, and individual donors. It occupies about 10 kilometres of shelving space on two basement floors in Geneva's headquarters. 

This job exists in UNHCR headquarters and reports to the Chief of Section, Records and Archives.  
Its role is to promote the knowledge of UNHCR history and make research materials available to internal and external users while balancing researchers' need for access with the needs for confidentiality of persons of concern and institutions whose activities are reflected in the records.

The incumbent of this position supervises staff, interns, and consultants.


All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.


Duties
- Manage the historical archives of UNHCR.
- Design and implement UNHCR strategy for the organization, arrangement, preservation, and accessibility of UNHCR¿s archives.
- Select, adapt, and implement UNHCR's archival description standards, metadata and tools.
- Oversee the appraisal of UNHCR¿s records to identify material for permanent retention.
- Select and apply preservation measures to ensure the longevity of archival materials in all type of formats
- Coordinate archival arrangement and description projects.  
- Oversee reference services provided to internal and external researchers, facilitating access to UNHCR¿s archival resources.
- Promote the knowledge and use of UNHCR Archives, internally and externally
- Collaborate with other services in the Division of External Relations to develop and organize fundraising and outreach activities.
- Implement and advise on UNHCR's access and research policy.
- Coordinate archival research projects.
- Coordinate transfers of inactive permanent records from the field to archives managed repositories.
- Manage the archives storage repositories, including risk assessment and disaster planning for the facilities.
- Perform other related duties as required.


Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P5 - 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree


Field(s) of Education
Digital Preservation; *Records and Archives management; Information Management;
History; or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)


Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)


Relevant Job Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of archival principles, functions, techniques, methods, and standards.
- Experience in archival description, appraisal and researchers management.
- At least 7 years of experience in progressively responsible functions in relation to Archives or record management.
- A comprehensive knowledge of archival principles, functions, techniques, methods, and international standards.
- Experience in archives reference and consultation services.
- Familiarity with current trends in archival research.
Desirable
- Experience in arrangement and description, appraisal, disposition and preservation of records in all types of media (e.g. electronic records, films and videos, photos and traditional paper files.
- Experience in organizing outreach activities.
- Knowledge of moderns trends on long term preservation on all types of media.


Functional Skills
CO-Drafting and Documentation
RC-Access regime to records
RC-Archives emergency preparedness and disaster recovery
RC-Archives management (appraisal, classification, description, preservation, and access)
RC-Records and archives program implementation
RC-Records and Archives user guidance and support
RC-Records centre management
RC-Confidentially review and redaction
RC-Document and information management
RC-Information appraisal

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)


Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.


This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates. C001L4 - Accountability Level 4
C002L4 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 4
C003L4 - Communication Level 4
C004L4 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 4
C005L4 - Client & Result Orientation Level 4
C006L4 - Organizational Awareness Level 4
M002L4 - Managing Performance Level 4
M005L4 - Leadership Level 4
M004L4 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 4
M003L4 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 4
X001L4 - Analytical Thinking Level 4
X005L4 - Planning and Organizing Level 4
X008L4 - Stakeholder Management Level 4

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).

Please note that the closing date for vacancies in this addendum is Monday 7 December 2020 (midnight Geneva time).